would you import a high K HDJ81?

[d0ubledown]

looking for informed opinions on importing HDJ81s. noticed the mileage range can be anywhere from rediculously low like 60K, to somewhat high 200+.

would you consider a 1HDT over 175,000 KM? over 200k? i know jdm's usually have lower mileage...(of course depending on whether or not its been rolled back). these motors are supposed to last...so 2 hundred thou shouldnt be an issue? apart from the beb's...anything else i can ask these japanese dealers? its very limited info thats offered on the auction descriptions, and asking anything in detail doesnt always result in a very coherent answer.

also...i have been looking at one unit, reasonable mileage. however, when seeing some pics of the undercarriage..i noticed it had been painted. should i be concerned about it? dealer said they got it that way...and i figure theres not much of a rust belt in japan...should i avoid it?

 

[Gold Boy]

i would ifffffffff i knew who i was buying from...

 

[Japan4X4]

Before the annual inspection most full service shops here paint the under carriage with chassis black. So I question why your photo shows the typical colour for high zinc primmer.

kms are not that big a deal to me, well maintained is more important but if you are not looking at the truck in person?????

 

[brownbear]

kms are not that big a deal to me, well maintained is more important but if you are not looking at the truck in person?????

I second that too...

If you had a real trustworthy contact I see no problem with higher KMs. Also a good way to save some bucks.

 

[mac]

My HDJ81 has 265K on it- it came in with 256K or so. It's in great shape...now that I've put a new engine in it. It may have been fine if the PO had changed the BEB's right away- but he didn't and subsequently destroyed the crank and one rod.

With higher K you run the risk of having BEB's that are very near or already gone. You really need someone to check out that specific aspect before you buy. Changing a scored crank is not cheap on these things.

 

[Scalp]

I would wait for a cleaner one without zinc paint covering the rust. If you wait, one will show up sooner or later.

 

[jcolvin]

I would wait for a cleaner one without zinc paint covering the rust. If you wait, one will show up sooner or later.

I'd wait for a cleaner one. Unless you are really scrimping pennies you should be able to get something that's pretty much mint underneath with 150,000 km or so on it.

Something else to think about; do you want the all-hydraulic tranny (pre Aug 1992) or the electro-hydraulic tranny (after aug 1992) (assuming you are getting an auto)? The electro-hydraulic tranny has better shift programming and you can put a torque converter lock-up gizmo on it that will allow you to manually lock up in all gears. Very useful indeed, especially if you plan on running big tires without regearing. And make sure it has lockers!